New Year trees in Polissia during the full-scale war have become more modest: without loud concerts and fireworks, often on living trees and with old decorations. People gather near them to raise money for the army and warm up with mulled wine between power outages. But the lights in city centers are still turned on, and people go there with children.
Decisions on the festive decoration of a hromada are made separately each year. Below is where festive trees are usually placed and how cities celebrated last year. Check dates and programs on city council websites before heading out.
Zhytomyr and Zhytomyr Oblast
Last year, Zhytomyr did not set up a large artificial tree. The main tree became a living tree on the pedestrian Mykhailivska Street: the garland on it was lit on December 6, on St. Nicholas Day, although it was initially planned for December 24. The city council explained that this saves the budget. That same evening, festive events were organized for children, and on December 11, live fir trees in pots were placed in the city center. Living trees for the holidays were sold last year at the Christmas tree markets of the regional forestry enterprises from the beginning of December.
In district cities, the holiday also became a charity event. In Malyn, on December 6, volunteers held a fair right between the rows of the city market. They sold handmade goods, pastries, deruny, and varenyky, and a photo zone and lottery operated. They raised 28,700 hryvnias for generators for military brigades. Festive plans for Berdychiv, Korosten, and Zviahel are announced by hromadas separately each year—check their official pages. Regarding the regional center, see the guide to Zhytomyr.
Rivne
Rivne is one of the few regional centers of Polissia where a real large tree stood last year. An 18-meter artificial tree, which the city purchased back in 2021, was installed for the second time on Theatre Square near the Regional Music and Drama Theatre. Installation and illumination were financed by the theater itself. Another festive tree was decorated on European Square near the Zlata Plaza shopping center.
The tree was lit on December 6, and on the same day, "Scrooge Fest" began. It lasted until about January 10 at three venues: the drama theatre, the puppet theatre, and the philharmonic. Kiosks with mulled wine and entertainment operated near the tree, and funds were raised for the Rivne brigade. For Christmas, the Rivne collective "Spivanka" went from house to house with the Goat, caroling and raising money for a National Guard friend. More about the city can be found in the guide to Rivne.
Lutsk and Kovel
In Lutsk, festive trees grow right on Theatre Square—there are three of them. Last year, employees of KP "Lutsksvitlo" decorated them with toys made by children and teachers of the Lutsk Art School: about a hundred decorations and 200 meters of garlands. The oldest decoration is a star that is over 14 years old. The lights were turned on on December 5 without an official ceremony: the city has not held a ceremonial tree opening since the beginning of the full-scale war. Angel installations were installed on Lesia Ukrainka Street. More about the city can be found in the guide to Lutsk.
In Kovel on December 24, for the second time, the "Open-Air Christmas Table" was set up — a Lenten supper for the families of service members who are in captivity or missing in action. Military uniforms were hung on the empty chairs. Anyone who wished could join.
Chernihiv and Nizhyn
Before the full-scale war, Chernihiv's main Christmas tree stood on Krasna Square in front of the drama theater. Last year, the city council decided not to set it up. Instead, Chernihiv preserved the tradition of the Christmas vertep in Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Square, and the Department of Culture and Tourism considered placing several small fir trees there. Nizhyn community announces its festive plans separately. Read about Chernihiv in our article about the city.
Sumy
Sumy has not set up its central Christmas tree since 2021, when it was last lit on Theater Square. Last year, the Sadko Fountain became the festive location: live fir trees nearby were decorated, and a photo zone with deer, an arch, and a sphere was set up next to them. The city did not buy new decorations — it used those purchased before the full-scale war. The "sky" on Soborna Street and trees in the squares were illuminated, and after December 25, the underpass was given over to local artisans on weekends and holidays to sell souvenirs.
Safety: Sumy, the north of Sumy region, and Chernihiv region are regularly shelled. These sections are for local residents. Traveling there for the holidays without necessity is not recommended.
Kyiv Region
Last year, Bila Tserkva made the didukh a symbol of the holidays. An 8.78-meter didukh appeared on December 6 in the city center, near Shevchenko Park, and stood until Epiphany. It was conceived and designed by local craftswoman Yanina Rud, and built by her family and volunteers. How Brovary, Irpin, and other cities of the region will decorate for the holidays is decided by the communities themselves — check their official pages. Read about Bila Tserkva itself in our article about the city.
Before going out for the holiday
- Mass events during martial law are limited, and during an air raid alert, they are interrupted. Find the nearest shelter in advance.
- A curfew is in effect on New Year's Eve. Its duration in each region is determined by the Oblast Military Administration — check closer to December 31.
- Due to power outages, the lights may not stay on all evening. Bring a power bank, warm clothing, and a thermos.
